Restructurisation of traditional industrial areas which took place during the last 20 years
is an effect of systemic transformation that resulted mainly from pressures exerted by Solidarity
trade union. Thus trade union movement can be treated as a significant factor influencing the character
of rules governing the labour market as well as an essential form of social capital activation
being the basis for full development of human potential. However, trade union activity is varied due
to the gender issue so the women’s presence in unions is limited. Thus in this sense, only one woman
participated in the round table talks, despite the fact that the talks concerned the ways transformation
in the society consisting of two sexes. Similarly, all the management boards of trade unions
founded after 1989 were dominated by men although problems related to work and labour market
concern both sexes. The reason for this and identifying barriers encountered by women in trade
union activity as well as the problems faced by them on the labour market in mining are main issues
analysed in this paper based on quality empirical research. The research is a case study of trade
unions in hard coal mining and brown coal mining. It is also an attempt to compare experience and
perception typical of representatives of Silesian and Łódź voivodeships respectively. The paper is
also a partial report on research conducted as a part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
grant devoted to the issues of sex equality. Also, it analyses varied experiences of males and females
related to their participation in trade union movement.